Elgin murder victim's sister: To know her was to know love

While police continue their investigation into Elgin's first homicide of 2013, family and friends are remembering Lisa Koziol-Ellis as loving, accepting and unique. The 33-year-old Elgin woman was found dead in her townhouse early Saturday morning. "She was an amazing, caring person who did everything possible to put everyone else before herself and let us all know how much she loved us," said her sister, Renee Martinson of Glendale Heights. Full story.

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Two killed in car vs motorcycle crash

Two men were killed and a 13-year-old boy injured after a motorcycle collided with a car Saturday night in Roselle, police said. Brian Wojcik, 19, of Bloomingdale, and David Phillips, 35, of Roselle, died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to Roselle police. Full story.

DuPage residents' Cubs items will be on TV

While they haven't actually seen a Cubs World Series, two DuPage County collectors have a program from one, a zero from the Wrigley Field scoreboard and lots of other souvenirs that will be part of the new "A Piece of the Game" TV show. Full story.

State budget pinch hits home in suburbs

As families across the suburbs advocate for more state funding for autism, college aid, help for battered women and many more causes, Illinois' financial picture grows increasingly dire. That puts Gov. Pat Quinn in a tough spot as he prepares for his budget address Wednesday. Full story.

Tighter budgets strain suburban fire departments

Mounting pension obligations and tightly drawn budgets are straining staffing at many suburban fire departments, including some that already are short-handed and others that regularly send firefighters across borders to help other towns. In a "do more with less" world, four of 10 suburban fire departments surveyed are running at least one firefighter short of authorized staffing, which could cause problems, because doing more with less isn't always possible in battling fires or responding to ambulance calls. Full story.

Intruder shoots dog during North Aurora home invasion

A family dog who approached an intruder during a home invasion was shot Friday afternoon in North Aurora, authorities said. One of the intruders held the residents at gunpoint, and as the other went upstairs, the dog approached him and was shot three times, according to North Aurora police. Full story.

Kotowski: Courts need to do better job on guns

A suburban state senator and leading gun control advocate is calling on county courts to do more to report mental illness, disqualifying potentially dangerous Illinoisans from obtaining a firearm. State Sen. Dan Kotowski, citing evidence only a quarter of Illinois counties are following through on a new reporting law, described the scenario as a "ticking time bomb." Full story.

Freedom of Information request stirs W. Chicago controversy

A Freedom of Information Act request for student contact information filed during the final month of contract negotiations between West Chicago Elementary District 33 and its teachers union revealed inconsistencies between FOIA regulations and federal laws meant to protect student privacy. While the FOIA includes an exemption for home addresses, the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act allows "directory" information, such as a student's name, address, telephone number and date and place of birth, to be disclosed without consent as long as yearly notice is provided to parents. Full story.

Des Plaines man charged with abusing girls; police seek more victims

Cook County sheriff's officials said Friday they're looking to find additional victims of a man suspected of sexually abusing young girls. Pareshkumar Desai, 50, of Des Plaines was charged Feb. 20 with seven counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to the sheriff's office. Full story.

Police seek Elgin bank robber

Police and the FBI are seeking a man who robbed a bank on Elgin's west side Saturday morning, police said. Elgin police said officers responded about 9:15 a.m. to a report of a bank robbery at the Fifth Third Bank, 1645 Larkin Ave. According to the FBI, the suspect is believed to be Hispanic, between 5 feet, 2 inches and 5 feet, 6 inches tall and in his mid-30s. Full story.

Palatine Twp. residents want road district abolished

A group of Palatine Township residents have filed a petition that will force the board to discuss abolishing the road district during its annual meeting on April 16. They say the cost of maintaining roads is more expensive than if municipalities were to take them over. Full story.

Elgin man dies in Barrington Hills pileup

An Elgin man was killed and four other people were hospitalized as a result of a four-vehicle crash in Barrington Hills on Sunday afternoon, officials said. No charges have been filed in the crash that tied up Route 59 near Dundee Road for several hours on Sunday afternoon. Full story.

Big storm headed our way tonight, Tuesday

What the National Weather Service on Sunday called "an interesting weather system" will bring nasty snow to the suburbs starting Monday night and especially on Tuesday. "Snow may fall heavily at times from Tuesday morning through Tuesday afternoon. Accumulation rates of 1 to 1.5 inches per hour are possible at times, making snow removal difficult and travel extremely dangerous." Full story.

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